Fire-escape



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. E. MOORE.

PIRE ESCAPE.

No. 280,653. Patented (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. M. E. MOORE.

PIRE ESCAPE.

No. 280,653. Patented July 8, 1883.

IJV' VEN TOR .dttorney WITNESSES 0 P .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MYRON E. MOORE, OF WOODFORDS, MAINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,653, dated July 8, 1883.

Application filed February 6, 1983. (No model.)

`To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known thatA I, MYRoN E. MOORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Woodfords, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Fire-Escape, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

rIhis invention relates to fire-escapes, and has for its object to provide a simple, convenient, and safe means of exit from hotels and other large buildings, as well as ordinary residences, in case of fire. To this end ita/con'- sists' in the 'improved construction of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure l is a perspective view, showing my improved fire-escape in position for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the saine. Fig. 3 is a rear view, showing the device in position in the room where it is attached. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the frame of the device extended. Fig. 5 is a perspective view, showing the frame folded, with the flexible ladder also folded, and Fig. 6 is a side view, showing the device in position and the ladder in the act of being paid out.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures. 4

A in the drawings designates the frame of my improved fire-escape, which is adapted to be secured at any window in the building where the device is used and sustain in position the iiexible ladder which forms the means of exit. The construction of the said frame is as follows:

B B represent the side frame-pieces, which are connected by cross pieces or braces C C at their upper ends and near their lower ends.

F F are arched braces pivoted to the upper brace, C, and centrally to said braces are pivoted the legs D of a bail, E, which may thus be folded upon the frame.

To the under side of each of the arms D is pivoted a pair of arms, G H, connected by a pivoted brace,- I, enabling the said arms to be folded, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

To the inner arms, G G, are secured the upper ends of the sides of a suitably-constructed flexible ladder, J, and to the outer arms, H, are secured the upper ends of a pair of iiexiholds or guards to assist timid persons in descending.

The lower ends of the sides of the iiexible ladder have hooks M, adapted to be hooked over one of a series of rungs, N, connecting the sides of a frame, O, provided at its inner end with points or prongs l?, adapted to enter sockets Q in the wall of the building where the device is used. By means of this device the flexible ladder is held out from the wall of the burning building during operation, thus enabling the inmates to descend with safety. The frame O is provided with a rung, N, for each story or floor of the building where a nre-escape is used, the ladders from the lower oors being hooked lto the inner, and those from the upper iioors to the outer, rungs, thus causing the several ladders to be well separated, and enabling those residing on the several floors to descend in safety at the same time.

The side pieces, B B, of the frame are provided with outwardly-bent brackets R at their lower ends, provided with perforations S to receive a rod, T, by means of which the frame is secured in position for operation to screweyes U in the floor of the room where the device is to be used, and in front of the window. Three screw-eyes are preferably used, and a rod of sufficient length to enable the frame to be slid to one side of the window when folded and not in use, and be covered and concealed by means of a suitable casing or cabinet; or the device may -be entirely detached and kept at any desired place in the room.

To enable the device to be readily manipulated and moved into position, I provide the sides of the frame with rollers or casters V.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood froin the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed. After folding the frame, as shown, the flexibleladder is folded between the curved braces F upon the sides or arms of the bail E. In this condition the device is kept in the rooms where it is\intended to be used. In Case of fire it is only necessary for the occupant of the room to move the device to the window, attach it, (if it is not already arranged to slide into position upon the rod which serves IOO to secure it,) and pay the ladder out of the I 3. In a flre-escape, the combination of the 3o window. The weight of the ladder will assist in pulling; it out, and when it is nearly or quite paid out its weight will serve to lift the bail E of the frame and pull it out over the sill, upon which it rests during operation. The arms G H sustain the ladder and guards at some distance from the wall of the building, and the bail E forms a guard which enables the inmates to step out upon the ladder in safety. The frame O is placed in position by the irenien, or by persons below.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Iatent ol' the United Statesl. In a 1ire-escape,the herein-described folding` frame, consisting` of side pieces connected by rungs, a bail pivoted to the upper ends of said side pieces, and downward depending` folding,` arms pivoted to the sides of said bail and connected in pairs by pivoted braces, as set forth.

2. In a ire-escape, the herein-described folding frame, comprising the side pieces, the pivoted bail having arched braces between which the flexible ladder may be folded, and rollers or casters journaled to the sides of the said side pieces, whereby the device may be readily moved into position for operation, as set forth.

side pieces of the frame pivoted to a rod connected tothe floor of aroom, infront ofthe window, the bail pivoted to the upper ends of the said side pieces, the arms pivoted to the sides oi' said bail, the pivoted braces connecting1 the said arms, the flexible ladder secured to the inner arms, and the ilexible guards secured to the outer arms and to the ladder, as herein described, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a lire-escape, the combination ol" the herein described frame, the flexible ladder secured to the same, and having hooks at its lower end, and a frame having` points adapted to enter sockets in the wall ofthe building, at the base of the same, and provided with a series of rungs to which the flexible ladders leading from the several iloors ofthe building may be connected, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the ioregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MYRON E. MOORE.

Witnesses WM. BAGGER, EDWARD G. Sicenns. 

